Abstract
Ocean Energy Systems (OES) is the short name for the Technology Collaboration Programme on Ocean Energy Systems under the International Energy Agency (IEA). The Technology Collaboration Programme (TCP), a multilateral mechanism established by the International Energy Agency (IEA), was created with a belief that the future of energy security and sustainability starts with global collaboration. The programme is made up of thousands of experts across government, academia and industry in 55 countries dedicated to advancing common research and the application of specific energy technologies.
The Technology Collaboration Programme (TCP) supports the work of independent, international groups of experts that enable governments and industries from around the world to lead programmes and projects on a wide range of energy technologies and related issues. The experts in these collaborations work to advance the research, development and commercialisation of energy technologies. The scope and strategy of each collaboration is in keeping with the IEA Shared Goals of energy security, environmental protection and economic growth, as well as engagement worldwide.
Currently there are 38 individual technology collaborations working across several technology or sector categories: energy efficiency end-use technologies (buildings, transport, industry and electricity), renewable energy and hydrogen, fossil energies, fusion power, and cross-cutting issues. These technology collaborations are a critical, member-driven part of the IEA family, but they are functionally and legally autonomous from the IEA Secretariat.
As of December 2020, 22 Member Countries and the European Commission are members of the IEA-OES, providing a broad international base of information, sharing experience and knowledge and further a diversified representation of interests: members are from governmental departments, utilities, universities and research organizations, energy agencies and industry associations. This is one of the benefits of joining OES: participants gain an international perspective on ocean energy issues, opportunities and present challenges.
The OES international co-operation facilitates:
- Securing access to advanced R&D teams in the participating countries;
- Developing a harmonized set of measures and testing protocols for the testing of prototypes;
- Reducing national costs by collaborating internationally;
- Creating valuable international contacts between government, industry and science;
- Sharing information and networking.
This Annual Report presents an overview of progress made by the IEA-OES in 2020, including summaries of ongoing projects and updated country reviews prepared by the Delegates.